Method of repairing bowling pins



y 1954 P. e. SELL ,684,

METHOD OF REPAIRING BOWLING PINS Filed Aug. 6, 1951 3 Fig.2 Fi s Peter 6. Se

. IN VE Patented July 2'7, 1954 UNITED STAT S PT OFFICE 2 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to improvements in bowling pins and more particularly to a method of repairing bowling pins after they have become dented and chipped from usage.

An object of the present invention resides in the novel method whereby bowling pins can be renewed, the method comprising the steps of shaving the bowling pin until all of the dents and chipped portions have been smoothed down and appl ing coating material over the bowling pin and subjecting the bowling pin and coating material to pressure and temperature in a die whereby the standard size of the bowling pin can be obtained.

Another object of the present invention is to include the step of kerfing the surface of the bowling pin whereby when the coating material is applied to the bowling pin an effective bond is produced.

A still further object of the present invention resides in the manner in which the bowling pin is supported in a die whereby a coating can be adhesively applied to the pin to result in a pin having a coating of uniform thickness on a crosssectional plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pin.

Still further objects of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description to follow. The best form in which I have contemplated applying my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of a bowling pin after it has been shaved a predetermined amount to remove the surface portions of the pin having the indentations and chipped portions, and showing the standard size bowling pin in dotted outlines;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the bowling pin of Figure 1 and showing the kerfing which is the second step of the method for renewing bowling pins;

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially along the plane of line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through a die employed in connection with the present invention and showing a bowling pin mounted therein with the plastic covering the same;

Figure 5 is a top plan view showing one-half of the die with a bowling pin mounted therein after it has been subjected to pressure and temperature; and

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of the bowling pin of Figures 1 through 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout, the numeral It designates generally a conventional bowling pin which has been subjected to usage thereby having a multiplicity of indentations and chips.

The pin Iii, shown in sectional view in Figure 3, has an axial bore l2 and a plurality of secondary bores M in communication with the axial bore l2 and a peripheral groove 13 in the surface of the pin I El. The bore (2 terminates in the bottom face of the pin ill at 5 and has an enlarged threaded bore at It for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The pin H! is of wooden construction and has a fibrous annular insert 26 in the base thereof.

When the pin It has been subjected to usage over a period of time, it is necessary that it either be replaced or renewed. The present invention contemplates a novel method of renewing the bowling pin for further usage.

The first step in renewing the bowling pin it includes the shaving of the bowling pin from the dotted line size of Figure 1 to the full line size of Figure 1, wherein all of the damaged surface portions of the pin are removed. The pin also has the annular base portion shaved at 24 to expose the annular ring 20. The next step in renewing the bowling pin ID includes the longitudinal kerfing of the pin at 26, the her-is being disposed about the belly portion of the pin. Circumferentially spaced grooves 24a are next provided in the shaved portion 24.

After the pin it has been prepared in accordance with the previous steps, a threaded hook 28 is engaged axially of the pin at its top. A threaded bushing 38 is engaged in the threaded bore [8 at the base of the pin. The pin is then inserted into the die H which is comprised of upper and lower sections 32 and 3d. The base or lower portion 34 of the die ll has a grooved portion 36 which is adapted to receive the hook element 28. The opposite end of the base or bottom 34 of the die H is formed with a groove at 38 for receiving the bushing 3c, whereby the bowling pin can be maintained in predetermined relation to the die 8 5.

As seen best in Figure 4, the upper and lower sections 32 and 34 of the die II are recessed to the contour of a standard bowling pin at "it and 42. The two die sections 32 and 34 have aligned fiat Walls 44 and 46 which are adapted to be engaged by the base of the bowling pin and more 3 particularly by the fibrous annular ring 20 which provides a flat surface perpendicular to the axis of the pin.

In order to clampingly retain the bowling pin in its position within the die H, a lock nut 48 is provided for threaded engagement on the bushing 30, the nut abutting the washer 50. Thus, the cooperation between the threaded portion 3] of the bushing 33, as engaged in the bore I8, and the lock nut 38 is to fixedly maintain the bowling pin in spaced relation to the walls of the recesses i0, 42, M and at.

In placing the bowling pin in the die H, it is wrapped in a coating material, such as thermosetting or thermoplastic resins, rubbers, or compositions employing blends of resin-like and rubber-like materials. The two sections of the die H are then engaged together, the dowel pins 52 and 5d of the base 3 3 being engaged in recesses in the upper section 32 of the die. The raised corner sections 5@, 58, {it and 62 of each of the portions of the die I i are engaged together whereby a space is formed between the surfaces $4 of the two die sections.

The die is then subjected to pressure and heat and the excess material will flow into the space formed between the surfaces as of the die sections while the exhaust gases will pass through the secondary passages l4 and the axial bore 2 to the exterior of the die through the bore 33 of the bushing 30.

The pin may then be removed and hung on a wire by means of the hook 28 until cool, at which time the excess material may be trimmed down.

It will thus be seen that a bowling pin has been effectively repaired and restored to standard size, the pin having a coating of material of uniform thickness on a plane through the pin perpendicular to the axis of the pin. Of course, the pressures and temperatures to which the pin must be subjected depend upon the type of coating material employed.

Having described the claimed as new is:

1. The method of repairing a bowling pin invention, what is having a plurality of indentations therein comprising the steps of forming an axial bore in the pin, shaving the indented portions of the pin to provide a reduced size pin of substantially smooth exterior, kerfing the portions that have been shaved, producing a peripheral groove in the pin intermediate the ends of the pin, providing radial bores in the pin between the groove and the axial bore, covering the shaved portions of the pin with plastic sheets, supporting the pin in a die for bowling pins whereby a uniform coating of plastic can be applied to the pin on a crosssectional plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pin, and subjecting the die to pressure and permitting the escape of gas and moisture vapor through the radial bores to thereby restore the pin to its normal size.

2. The method of repairing used bowling pins comprising the steps of forming an axial bore in the pin, shaving off the indented portions of a pin, lrerfing the shaved portions of the pin, producing a peripheral groove in the pin, forming radial bores in the pin between the axial bore and the groove, covering the shaved portions of the pin with plastic sheets, placing the pin and plastic sheets in a die for bowling pins, supporting the pin within the die whereby a uniform coating oi plastic can be applied to the pin on a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pin, and subjecting the pin and plastic sheets to pressure and heat and permitting the escape of gas and moisture vapor through the radial bores and axial bore.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,088,312 Whelan Feb. 2%, 1914 1,635,472 Geiser July 12, 1927 2,086,939 Hess July 13, 1937 2,105,045 Kraft Jan. 11, 1988 2,180,676 Guimond Nov. 21, 1939 2,202,674 Seaman et a1. May 28, 1940 2,568,274 Clark Sept. 18, 1951 

